Curtain-wall assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to facade comprised of modules each having a module frame ( 1 ) and at least one infill and/or glass panel, in particular an all-glass facade, characterized in that the infill or glass panel ( 2 ) is provided with mounting strips ( 4 ) that are releasably attached to the module frame ( 1 ).

The invention relates to a curtain-wall assembly in a modular construction system, in particular in the form of a glass curtain-wall system, having curtain-wall modules comprising a module frame and at least one infill and/or glass panel mounted thereon.

Such curtain walls are known in numerous embodiments in practice and are distinguished in that the individual curtain-wall modules can be delivered to the construction site completely prefabricated and can be installed there in a simple manner, arrayed from top to bottom, on the building, which is generally built with a concrete frame.

However, it is disadvantageous with such curtain walls that the infill panels, in particular the glass panels, cannot be exchanged readily if they have a defect, which can occur for instance due to internal stresses, structural damage, or a joint that is not sealed. In the solutions known in the past, the complete module must then be removed from the array, which is extremely problematic for modular curtain walls.

The basic object of the invention is therefore to improve a curtain wall of the type cited in the foregoing in that in particular a glass panel can be exchanged economically.

This object is attained in accordance with the invention in that the infill or glass panel is provided with mounting strips that can be releasably attached to the module frames.

The advantage attained using the invention is essentially comprised in that the infill or glass panel is not connected directly to the module frame but rather is releasably connected thereto via mounting strips so that it is possible to remove a single glass panel from the module frame without having to remove the entire module frame from the curtain-wall array, which is associated with significant difficulties.

In a particularly simple design in accordance with the invention, the mounting strips are glued to the infill or glass panels. For this it is possible to use for instance standard adhesives or even double-sided adhesive tape.

The mounting strips can be formed as individual strips at the outer periphery of the infill or glass panel; however, in the framework of the invention it is also possible for the mounting strips to be formed as the frame, the individual mounting strips then also being able to be connected to one another using corner brackets.

In order to produce a particularly simple connection between the mounting strips and the module frame, a connection that is also easy to release, in the framework of the invention it is suggested that a coupling profile be provided between the mounting strips and the module frame for interconnecting them and/or latching them together. This coupling profile is advantageously provided with locking profile ribs that engage connection profile webs provided on the mounting strips and on the module frame in a positive fit and/or in a press fit.

In the framework of the invention it has been proven advantageous when the coupling profile is formed by a flat profile web, the individual locking profile ribs being formed as L-shaped angle profiles with inner legs projecting at a right angle from the coupling profile and outer free legs that engage the connection profile web and extend in the same direction parallel to each other.

It has furthermore proven advantageous when the free leg of the locking profile rib and/or the connection profile web are provided on their surfaces adjacent to one another a bevel that creates a tightening force. In this manner the infill or glass panel is brought into close contact with the module frames, in particular also under its inherent load.

In order to attain an orientation of the infill or glass panel on the module frame, it is advantageous when the mounting strips are provided with a profile projection that projects with positive fit into a seat groove on the module frame. This further results in the possibility to provide the profile projection with a latch groove into which the edge of the coupling profile projects, which fixes the profile projection in the seat groove.

In general in the framework of the invention it has proven sufficient when the coupling profile is connected two times to the mounting strips or module frame.

An embodiment in which the coupling profile bears on its edge two locking profile ribs has proven itself to be a further advantageous design. Because of this the coupling profile has a largely T-shaped structure.

In order to ensure with certainty that the coupling profile does not release by itself, the invention provides that a locking member secures the coupling profile in its position connecting the mounting strips to the module frame. This locking member can be formed in a particularly simple manner by a seal strip that is inserted between the coupling profile and the mounting strips or module frame.

However, it is also possible for the locking member to be formed by a screw that is screwed into the mounting strip or module frame and with its head engages the frame of the coupling profile.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for assembling a curtain-wall module for a curtain wall in a modular construction system, in particular in the form of a glass curtain-wall system, whereby the curtain-wall module comprises a module frame and at least one infill and/or glass panel mounted thereon.

In terms of the method, the underlying object of the invention is attained in that first the module frame is assembled, in that then mounting strips are releasably attached to the module frame, and in that then the infill or glass panels are attached to the mounting strips.

In addition to the advantages already described, what this attains is that the usual production tolerances, the avoidance of which normally means significant complexity in production, do not have a negative effect in this case since the previously occurring tolerances can be retroactively compensated using the final connection of the infill or glass panel by gluing to the mounting strips.

In order to assure easy removal and also re-attachment of the infill or glass panel, the mounting strips are advantageously connected to the module frame by means of a coupling profile.

Finally, it has proven advantageous when the mounting strips are provided with an adhesive and the infill or glass panel is placed against the mounting strips in a precisely oriented fit.

The adhesive can be in a liquid form or even in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape.

The invention is explained in greater detail in the following with reference to an illustrated embodiment. Therein:

FIG. 1 is a curtain-wall module comprising fixed glazing and a movable sash;

FIG. 2 is cross-section of a module frame during construction on the workbench;

FIG. 3 has partial FIGS. a through d showing first the attachment of the coupling profile and then of the mounting strip and finally, in partial FIG. d, of the locking member;

FIG. 4 has partial FIGS. a through d showing the attachment of the glass panel to the mounting strip and further assembly steps;

FIG. 5 shows an alternative manner of securing of the coupling profile;

FIG. 6 shows the design of the mounting strips in the form of a closed frame; and,

FIG. 7 shows the grabs that are needed for exchanging a defective glass panel.

The curtain wall, depicted only partially in the drawings, especially in FIG. 1 in cross-section, is constructed in a modular construction system and comprises curtain-wall modules 3 that are provided in an array above and next to one another and that each comprise a module frame 1 and at least one infill and/or glass panel 2 mounted thereon. Such curtain walls are frequently in particular constructed in the form of a glass curtain-wall system. In such curtain walls there is the problem that, in case of damage in particular to the glass panel 2, it cannot be removed from the curtain-wall module 3 so that the only possibility is to remove the complete curtain-wall module 3 from the entire array, which is highly problematic.

In order to attain a simpler opportunity for exchanging the glass panel 2, the infill or glass panel 2 is provided with mounting strips 4 that can be releasably attached to the module frame 1. As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 4, these connectors strips 4 are glued to the infill or glass panel 2.

Gluing can be performed using a double-sided adhesive tape 5 or every by means of a conventional adhesive. The mounting strips 4 can be used as individual strips or can even be formed as a frame, as depicted in FIG. 6.

In order to make an easily detachable connection between the mounting strips 4 and the module frame 1, a coupling profile 6 is provided between the mounting strips 4 and the module frame for connecting and/or latching. This coupling profile 6 is provided with locking profile ribs 7 that engage connection profile webs 8 provided on the mounting strips 4 and the module frame 1, so that this can be a positive and/or press fit.

As can further be seen from the drawing, the coupling profile 6 is formed by a flat profile web, each of the individual locking profile ribs 7 being formed as an L-shaped angle profile.

An inner leg of each of the locking profile ribs 7 projects at a right angle from the coupling profile 6, while an outer free leg engages the connection profile web 8 and is mounted such that it extends vertically the same direction as the other locking profile ribs 7 and is moreover parallel to this other one.

In order to attain the closest possible positioning of the infill or glass panel 2 to the module frame 1, a bevel is provided on the outer leg of the locking profile rib 7 and/or on the connection profile web 8 at their adjacent surfaces, so that both parts—in particular given the effect of gravity—are pulled against one another.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 1, the mounting strips 4 are provided with a profile projection 9 that projects in a positive fit into a seat groove 10 on the module frame 1. Because of this the resultant orientation of the infill or glass panel 2 is attained, which is significant in particular for subsequent replacement of the glass panel 2. Moreover, this profile projection is provided with a latch groove 11 into which the edge of the coupling profile 6 projects. Thus this profile projection 9 also fixes the mounting strips 4 on the module frame 1.

In practice it has proven useful when the coupling profile 6 is connected to the mounting strips 4 or the module frame 1 at two locations. Moreover, the coupling profile 6 is configured such that at its edge it has two locking profile ribs 7, so that the coupling profile 6 is of T-shape.

In order to fix the coupling profile 6 in its position holding the mounting strips 4 on the module frame 1, the coupling profile 6 is secured in place connecting the mounting strips 4 to the module frame 1 by a locking member 12, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 1. However, as depicted in FIG. 5 there is also the possibility that the locking member 12 is formed by a screw that is inserted into the mounting strip 4 or the module frame 1 with its screw head engaging the edge of the coupling profile 6 so that the coupling profile 6 is also fixed in this manner. Moreover, the inventive solution permits a module frame 1 to be constructed in a simple manner without the otherwise normally occurring production tolerances requiring particular attention. In addition, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the module frame 1 is initially assembled, then the coupling profile 6 is attached to the module frame 1 and then the mounting strips 4 are attached.

Finally, in accordance with FIG. 3 d the coupling profile 6 is secured by the locking member 12 formed by a seal strip, where in accordance with FIG. 4 the glass panel 2 is attached to the mounting strips 4 by means of an adhesive. The orientation of the glass panel 4 on the module frame 1 is comparatively simple so that production tolerances are compensated out, that is, are not terribly significant. In particular it is not necessary to make complex measurements for attaching the mounting strips 4 to the glass panel 2. This is only necessary when in rare cases it is actually necessary to switch a glass panel 2, the resultant complexity of precisely attaching the mounting strips 4 being more than compensated by the significantly more simple removal of the glass panel from the module frame 1. 

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A facade having a plurality of modules each comprising: a polygonal frame adapted to be fixedly and permanently installed; a panel of generally the same shape as the frame; a plurality of mounting strips fixed to edges of the frame; and releasable coupling means securing the mounting strips to the frame.
 19. The facade module defined in claim 18, further comprising glue strips fixing the mounting strips to the panel.
 20. The facade module defined in claim 18 wherein the mounting strips are connected together into an annular frame.
 21. The facade module defined in claim 18 wherein the coupling means includes respective coupling profiles engaged between the mounting strips and module frame.
 22. The facade module defined in claim 21 wherein each the coupling profiles and the module frame are provided with complementary interfitting locking formations.
 23. The facade module defined in claim 22 wherein the locking formations include respective ribs projecting toward the frame from the coupling profiles and respective seat grooves on the frame, open toward the coupling profile, and releasably receiving the respective ribs.
 24. The facade module defined in claim 23 wherein each of the ribs is basically of L-section and has a horizontal inner leg projecting from the respective coupling profile and an vertical and downwardly projecting outer leg, the grooves being of complementary L-section and horizontally outwardly and upwardly open so that the respective outer leg can fit downwardly into and latch in the respective groove.
 25. The facade module defined in claim 24 wherein the grooves and seats have complementary beveled faces angled to pull the coupling profile toward the frame.
 26. The facade module defined in claim 24 wherein each mounting strip has two such L-section ribs and the frame has for each mounting strip two such grooves.
 27. The facade module defined in claim 23 wherein each frame is provided with two such grooves extending horizontally offset vertically from each other and two such similarly offset horizontal such coupling profiles engaged in the grooves.
 28. The facade module defined in claim 18 wherein each mounting strip is formed with a profiled projecting rib extending toward the frame and the frame is formed with complementary grooves open toward the mounting strips and receiving the respective profile projecting rib.
 29. The facade module defined in claim 28 wherein the profiled projecting rib is formed with a latch groove and the coupling profile is formed with a lip fitting directly into the groove.
 30. The facade module defined in claim 23, further comprising: a locking member releasably connectable to the frame and in a position impeding separation of the respective coupling profile from the frame.
 31. The facade module defined in claim 30 wherein the locking member is a flexible seal strip.
 32. The facade module defined in claim 30 wherein the locking member is engageable in the seat groove adjacent the respective rib so as to impede movement of the respective rib in the respective groove.
 33. The facade module defined in claim 30 wherein the locking member is a screw engaged between the coupling profile and the frame.
 34. A method of installing a facade module comprising a frame and at least one infill or glass panel fixed thereon, the method comprising the steps of: permanently fixing the frame to a building; releasably securing mounting strips on the frame fixed to the building, and thereafter fixing the panel to the mounting strips.
 35. The method defined in claim 34 wherein the mounting strips are fixed adhesively to the panel.
 36. The method defined in claim 34 wherein the mounting strips are releasably secured to the frame by fitting coupling profiles between the mounting strips and the frame.
 37. The method defined in claim 35 wherein the coupling profiles have an outer side turned toward the respective mounting strip and interfittable therewith and an inner side turned toward the module frame and interfittable therewith, the method further comprising the step of after securing the mounting strips on the frame and before fixing the panel on the mounting strips, locking the mounting strips to the frame by installing seal strips engageable with the panel between the coupling element and the module frame. 